Heat records in jeopardy as season's first 90-degree readings expected in Northwest
Summer heat will envelop the Pacific Northwest early this week, with Portland and Seattle among the cities that can challenge or break record highs.
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Mother Nature is turning up the thermostat in the Pacific Northwest, with record high temperatures in the forecast for through early this week, say AccuWeather meteorologists.
For some areas away from the coast and in valleys, it will be the first time venturing into the 90s this year, while many other communities will make it into the 80s, well above historical averages for early June.
"Those with outdoor plans this weekend will want to schedule their activities in the morning or evenings to avoid the peak heating hours during the day," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski said. "If you must be outside, drink plenty of water and take as many breaks in the shade and indoors in air conditioning as possible."
The sun sets over the University District in Seattle, May 13, 2023, seen from 520 Bridge View Park in Medina, Wash., during a heat wave. (AP Photo/ Lindsey Wasson, File)
The increase in temperature will be driven by an area of high pressure across the West, replacing an area of low pressure which led to locally heavy showers and thunderstorms earlier last week, especially across the Southwest and Rockies.
After rather typical early-June days temperature-wise through Thursday, the warmth began to ratchet up on Friday. Record high temperatures were challenged over the weekend and will continue to be through early this week.
The record high temperature in Portland on Saturday of 93 from 1948 was safe, but it the daily record of 94 from 1955 on Sunday went tumbling as temperatures rose to 96. Records on Monday can be challenged with highs in the middle 90s.
Typically, Portland experiences its first 90-degree reading of the year in mid- to late June, so the intrusion of warmth expected this weekend is a couple of weeks ahead of the historical average. "The historical average first date for 95-degree heat in Portland is July 21," pointed out AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Chad Merrill.
Even places like Seattle will not be exempt from the warmth, as Sunday's high temperature eclipsed 90. High temperatures well into the 80s are on tap Monday and Tuesday, with Tuesday's forecast high close to the daily record.
Smaller towns east of the Cascades will also be roasting through the early week with many places in the interior Northwest approaching daily record-high temperatures.
"Spokane, Washington, will flirt with daily records through Tuesday with highs in the lower 90s expected," added Pydynowski. "Meanwhile, Omak, Washington, will challenge a long-standing record Monday, as the high tops out over 99, which is a mark that has stood for over 100 years, since 1918."
While heat waves of this magnitude are not unusual in the Pacific Northwest, especially during midsummer, they can be impactful and potentially deadly.
Only 53 percent of buildings in Washington state have air conditioning equipment, the second-lowest percentage in the U.S. behind Alaska, according to data from the Haas School of Business at the University of California in Berkeley. In Oregon, only about three-quarters of buildings have such cooling capabilities.
"In the wake of a deadly heat wave in June 2021, a study by the National Weather Service indicated homes without air conditioning were warmest between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.," said Merrill. "For those without air conditioning, staying at a friend’s or relative’s home with air conditioning overnights this weekend is advised."
For those looking for a reprieve from the early-season heat, it is forecast to fade by the middle of this week, as the area of high pressure moves east. Temperatures will return to more typical readings in the 60s and 70s.
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